We are pleased to announce that Choose Clark County and the South Dakota School of Mines will be collaborating to explore ways to recycle and repurpose the wind turbines in our area and beyond.
It is a common sight to see a multitude of blinking red lights at night while driving around Clark County and the surrounding region, marking each of the hundreds of turbines in our area. Choose Clark County is looking ahead to the future and preparing for the eventual decommissioning of these structures. While this is still many years away, planning is paramount to being prepared for our future. The goal is to prevent turbine components from being buried in pristine areas or added to our already overflowing landfills and, instead, find ways to repurpose them as assets for Clark County, promoting jobs and resources for our communities.
The School of Mines is enthusiastic about having their students tackle a real-world problem that can have significant positive impacts moving forward. They will focus on how to safely and economically dismantle the blades and masts and reuse the materials. The materials could possibly be repurposed for insulation, road fill materials, or other options that have not been explored yet. The study will result in a year's worth of research from the group of students who will be in contact with key groups in the community to make this project specific to Clark County and its unique needs.
Clark County is ideal for this project as it is strategically located in the hub of many wind fields in South Dakota and is along main roads linking fields even further away. We also have openings in our Industrial Park for businesses and the need for jobs. The research from the School of Mines will provide the community with a blueprint on how to prepare for the needs of the program and be ready before it becomes a necessity, placing us at the forefront for all the opportunities. It will also give us directions on how to grow our community in the coming years to prepare for the changes we can see ahead.
Choose Clark County is excited to be a part of this project and preparing for the future of Clark County.
Komentar